December 25, 2013

Prayer flags on Christmas morning

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered red cloth napkins to use for Christmas dinner. When they arrived, though, I was horrified at the texture. Instead of soft cotton, each napkin was the texture of a waterproof tarp. I couldn't use them as napkins but they were perfect for another project I had in mind: prayer flags. I found some black markers and began writing on them.

I chose to write things like "peace" and "faith" on mine. Then I asked my sons to help. Boy-in-Black wrote "Life, the Universe, and Everything" on one, and "It's all right, ma. It's life and life only" on another, and "Don't Panic" on a third. We started adding pictures, including a drawing of the Lorax and another of a cat. With-a-Why added one that said, "Fascists" with hearts all around it. "That one only makes sense if you've seen the movie The Trotsky," said Boy-in-Black.

When the flags were done, I tied them together with twine, and Boy-in-Black helped me hang them in the front yard. This morning, when I woke up early and went out to take a walk, they were frosted with ice and snow, glittering in the sunlight.

Those look more sturdy than traditional prayer flag material, which is thin and falls apart quickly. Smart move! Now to write the original vendor and tell them that these are terrible napkins and wonderful prayer flags.